FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Lilly Vittetow, South Putnam

Lilly is a senior at South Putnam and participates in three sports, cross country, basketball and track.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Lilly Vittetow: “Sports has been my whole life. It has taught me determination, leadership and hard work, about setting goals and how you can achieve them and definitely teaches you about failure and how you bounce back from it.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

LV: “I’ve done basketball since fourth grade. I love the game and our team. We had a really fun time in high school and had a pretty successful team over the past four years. I’ve run cross country and track since sixth grade. I like the team aspect of cross country, even though it’s harder than the rest, while track is probably my favorite sport. I love running hurdles and I’m going to miss it.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

LV: “One I remember vividly was when I was playing travel softball. I was at first base and the officials were reviewing a call. My first base coach told me to steal second and I took off sprinting so hard to get there. The ball wasn’t in play, though so everyone was laughing at is was so embarrassing. My coach and I eventually laughed it off as well.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

LV: “During basketball, I would always drive a bunch of friends to wherever we were going to each, come back and, if it was a home game, listen to music in the locker room or, if it was on the road, have my headphones on listening on the drive. I can’t start a game without my music. For track, I packed a lot of food instead of going out for a meal. I would either be eating or listening to music while warming up for a race, which was the same for cross country.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

LV: “I’ve been a big Purdue fan and follow them in anything. The only pro team I follow is the Red Sox. I like watching hurdler Sydney McLaughlin run as well.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

LV: “I’m in NHS and PIE Coalition, as well as being very enthusiastic in any school activity and cheer block.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

LV: “I’m always just out with my friends doing something, whether it’s eating, bowling or swimming at someone’s house. I also like to fish and with summer coming up, that’s something I’ll be doing a lot.”

BG: What are your favorites in movies, TV and music?

LV: “My favorite movies are ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Forrest Gump.’ My favorite shows are ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘iCarly.’ I listen to all genres of music but mostly rap and like artists like Rod Wave, NBA Young Boy and The Lumineers, the last which is certainly different from rap.”

BG: If you’re home for the night and can’t go anywhere, are you a person that wants to watch TV shows and movies with Hulu and Netflix or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?

LV: “Probably TikTok. I laugh a lot because of them and enjoy sending them to friends.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

LV: “I really want to go to a Red Sox game. Fenway Park has a great history and atmosphere. I’d like to go there and see the city of Boston as well.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

LV: “Losing the people I love the most.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

LV: “I’d go with my favorite food, so fettuccine alfredo, garlic bread and a two-liter of root beer.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

LV: “I have a dog, Mookie.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

LV: “I have a drawer full of letters that people have written to me so I would go get those.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

LV: “Charismatic. I’m pretty friendly, energetic and like getting to meet and know new people.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

LV: “Colorado. It’s very beautiful and you can go from skiing one day to a hot state park the next.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

LV: “In eighth grade we went to Washington, D.C. It was fun to go to the museums with friends. We also went to an MLB game out there.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

LV: “It’s definitely very important. My parents have always pushed me to be better and believed in me. My family has been important senior year as a lot of extended family has come out to what they could. My friends are always in the cheer block cheering me on, which is the best part.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically

LV: “Overall it’s been pretty good. I’ve always been able to keep my grades up with sports. It’s been hard but I’ve been able to balance both pretty well.”

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

LV: “Bring back home ec as a class to cook in. I don’t know who is supposed to teach me cooking in college and it would definitely been OK to take 45 minutes out of my day to cook in class.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

LV: “I’ll be going to Purdue University in the fall and studying nursing.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

LV: “It was tough in the past but, if you’re determined, you’ll get through it and that’s what happened with me.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

LV: “Probably my top would be AP History with Mrs. Henry, who always pushed me to do better. I had better time management while I was in her class. AP Biology with Mrs. Hodge was also good as she was always very encouraging. My APC teacher, Mr. Sorrell, also pushed me to get stronger in general for my sports.”

BG: In the future, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

LV: “Even though I like Colorado, I’d probably say down by the beach. It’s warmer and it fits my personality better.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

LV: “It has gone fast. It definitely flew by and I’ll definitely miss it and miss my friends, especially the ones I’ve made this year. That said, I’m definitely ready for the next chapter in my life and for Purdue.”